Presser unit for box wrapping machines



Dec. 17, 1957 G. BAIERLEIN PRESSER UNIT FOR BOX WRAPPING MACHINES 4 Sheats-Shqet 1 Filed Nov. 7, 1955 i644 4s l HL" mil IIYVENTOR.

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}TO POWER SUPPLY 1957 a. BAIERLEIN. 2,816,491

PRESSER UNIT FOR BOX WRAPPING MACHINES Filed Nov. 7, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet? FIG. 3

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Dec. 17, 1957 G. BAIERLEIN PRESSER UNIT FOR BOX WRAPPING MACHINES 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. '7, 1955 W BY- y AV;

INVENTOR.

AT 'TORNEY.

Dec. 17, 1957 G. BAIERLEIN PRESSER UNIT FOR BOX WRAPPING MACHINES 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. 7, 1955 FIG.

INVENTOR.

ATTQRNEY.

Unitcd States Patent assignor to Imperial George Baierlein, Brooklyn, N. Y.,

a corporation of Paper Box Corp., Brooklyn, N. Y., New York Application November 7, 1955, Serial No. 545,181

6 Claims. (Cl. 9354.2)

This invention relates to improvements in box wrapping machines and relates more particularly to a novel presser unit which folds and presses flaps around the edges of an opening in the side wall of the box.

Conventional box wrapping machines which apply a one-piece covering blank to the bottom, side and end walls of a paper box shell are well known in the art. These machines generally include a frame which supports an upper form block and a cooperating lower platen vertically aligned therewith, both of which are mounted on plungers, for controlled vertical reciprocating travel.

These moving members are arranged to support and carry the box shell and its cover or wrapper past the covering instrumentalities which generally include rollers or brushes for applying the side and end wings of the blank or wrapper to the sides and ends of the box, and past fingers which fold the marginal edges of the covering blank over the upper edges of the shell. The next step is to fold these marginal edges downwardly and afix them to the inner faces of the walls of the box.

The existing machines are designed for operating on boxes with solid, unbroken side and end walls. In instances wherein there is a side wall opening in the box, the blank is appropriately cut to form flaps to be wrapped around the edges of the opening and against the inner face of the side wall and the operation of securing the flaps is performed by hand.

This side wall opening receives a slidable drawer and boxes of this type are frequently used for cutlery. The presser unit of the present invention can be used in connection with most of the standard box-wrapping machines with little change, and its operation is timed to move through the side wall opening at about the same instant as the side and end wall flaps are being folded over the upper edges of the shell and before the upper form block enters for the final pressing operation.

An important object of the invention is to provide a presser unit of this character which performs its operation in a sufliciently short time as to not impede the normal cycle of operation of the conventional machines just referred to.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a novel presser unit which can be easily installed in a standard box covering machine without interfering with any of its usual operations.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel presser assembly mounted on a movable carriage which advances the assembly through the side wall opening of the box, the carriage having a cylinder provided with a iston and piston rod operatively connected with slidable and hinged wiper and presser members carried by the assembly and which are actuated after the assembly has passed through the box opening.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a broken front elevation of certain operating parts of a conventional box wrapping machine and showing a rear elevation of the forward section of the pressing unit of the present invention.

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Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a broken side elevation taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2 and showing the presser unit in fully retracted or starting position.

Fig. 4 is similar to Fig. 3 but shows the presser unit having moved through the side wall of the box.

Fig. 5 shows the position of the parts after the unit has performed its operation but before withdrawal from the box.

Fig. 6 is a broken section taken on line 6--6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a broken section taken on line 7-7 of Fig. 6 and showing the horizontally hinged presser bar in raised position.

Fig. 8 is similar to Fig. 7 but shows the presser bar in lowered position for entering the side wall opening of the box.

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the presser unit with the parts in retracted or starting position.

Fig. 10 is similar to Fig. 9 but shows the parts in extended position.

Fig. 11 is a plan view of the wrapper blank which is operated on by the machine of the present invention.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the box with the outside wrapper fully in place and also showing the flaps which have been pressed around the sides and bottom of the side wall opening.

Fig. 13 is a side elevation of a cam shaft for operating the various moving members in timed sequence.

The box 10 which is operated on by the presser unit of the present invention is shown in Fig. 12 and includes a base wall 11, end walls 12 and side walls 13, one of the latter having an elongated opening 14 therein.

The blank 15 (Fig. 11) forming the wrapper includes a base section 16, outer and inner end wall wings 17 and 18, and outer and inner side wall wings 19 and 20, the latter having end wall tabs 21. One of the side walls 18 is formed with a double Y cut to form upper and lower horizontal inner flaps 23 and 24 and vertical inner substantially V-shaped flaps 15. The rectangular section shown in dotted lines at 26 corresponds to the shape of side wall opening 14. The inner flaps 25 and 23 are adhesively secured to this side wall and the lower flap 24 to base wall 11. In Fig. 11 the distance between dotted line 26 and the dotted line defining the base section 15 of the wrapper represents the thickness of the base wall 11 of the box shell.

Only enough of the operating parts of a conventional wrapping machine are illustrated to indicate the location of the presser unit of the present invention and at what point in the complete wrapping cycle the presser unit performs its operation. The machine includes an upper plunger 29 mounted in a frame (not shown) for vertically reciprocating movement and which supports at its lower end a form block 30 which in Fig. 1 is enclosed by the unwrapped box 10 and the wrapper 15 is carried on the lower wall of the box. If the form block has fluid operated, outwardly movable side Walls as disclosed in my co-pending application Serial No. 545,180 fluid under pressure may be supplied thereto through conduit 28.

The machine also includes a vertically movable horizontal bar 32 which supports stripping fingers 33 which remove the finished box from the form block at the end of the wrapping operation. The machine further includes a lower plunger 34 having an upwardly extending rod 35 which supports a platen 36 at its upper end.

The upper surface of the wrapper is coated with adhesive and the box is then placed by the operator squarely in the center thereof. The box and wrapper are now placed over the form 'block which descends into contact with the platen, at which time the block and platen descend conjointly, and during this downward travel resilient rollers (usually with brush bristles) wipe side wall flaps 192t} upwardly. Continuing the downward travel of the parts a wing bar 41 with wiper wings 42 move inwardly on a horizontal plunger 43 and adh'esively secure tabs 21 around the corners of the end Walls. On further downward travel the box encounters end wall wiper brushes 44 which fold the end wall flaps 17 upwardly. Bar 4-6 wipes the wrapper over the upper edge of the box. During this part of the cycle the form block has been withdrawn from the box and at this instant the presser unit moves into the box and presses the fiaps against the inner faces. After completion of the latter operation the form block descends again into the box, moving the marginal edges of the wrapper into engagement with the inner faces of the box walls and presser bars 84 move against the walls to complete the adhesion. The form block now ascends to the position of Fig. l and bar 32 with stripping fingers descends, removing the wrapped box from the form block.

The presser unit of the present invention will now be described. A cylinder is mounted in fixed relation on the frame (not shown) by means of a U-shaped support 61. The cylinder has a piston (not shown) which is moved forwardly by air pressure and a piston rod 62 is connected at 63 with a movable plate 64 which is part of a carriage designated generally as 67 for supporting a presser assembly. A generally horizontal plate 65 is secured to plate 64 and the latter is secured against rotation during its forward travel by means of a fixed guide plate or frame 66 to which support 61 is secured. The presser assembly 70 is mounted for forward horizontal travel by means of spaced rods 71 extending forwardly from plate 64.

The presser assembly comprises an elongated base plate 74 having an upwardly extending right-angular flange 75 on its forward edge. Spacer blocks 76 and 77 are mounted on the base plate and a top plate 81 is mounted on the upper faces of the spacer blocks. The space-r blocks are positioned a sufiicient distance apart to form with base plate 74 and top plate 81 a channel 82 which receives plunger 83 in sliding relation.

Spacer blocks 76 and 77 having threaded openings 81 (Fig. 6) to receive the forward threaded ends of supporting rods 71 for supporting the presser assembly. A block 84 carrying a brush 85 is secured to the forward face of flange '75. On forward movement of the presser assembly this brush presses lower flap 24 of the Wrapper into adhesive engagement with lower wall 11 of the box shell.

The upper flap 23 of the Wrapper is pressed upwardly by means of a presser plate 86 hinged on brackets 90 secured by screws 91 to the upper face of top plate 81. Pins 92 provide the pivotal mounting for the presser plate 86.

Presser plate 86 is moved from the horizontal position of Fig. 8 to the raised position of Fig. 7 by means of a link 92 pivoted at one end at 93 in a slot 94 at the forward end of plunger 83. The opposite end of link 92 has a slot 95 which receives a pin 96 carried by an angular forward extension 100 of presser plate 86.

Flaps 25 are pressed against the inner face of side wall 13 by means of slides 102 mounted for reciprocating movement in slideways formed by base plate 74 and its vertical flange 75, spacer blocks 76-77 and top plate 81. These slides have brushes 103. Outward movement of the slides from the position of Fig. 9 to that of Fig. 10 is effected by links 104 connecting the slides with plunger 83.

It will accordingly be seen that as plunger 33 is moved forwardly, slides 102 carrying brushes 103 are moved outwardly and hinged presser plate 86 is moved upwardly thus wiping flaps 23 and 25 into engagement with the inner face of wall 13.

Means for moving the plunger 83 forwardly relative to the carriage comprise a block 106 freely slidable on rods 71 and to which is secured a bracket 110 to which rods 111 are secured. Plate 65 forming part of the carriage is slidable on top of spacer blocks 112 secured to bracket 61. This plate carries a cylinder 113 having an internal piston and a piston rod 114 secured at its outer end to a plate 115. This plate is connected with bracket 110 by rods 111.

As Will be seen in Fig. 2 block 106 supports a plate 116 to which the rear end of plunger 83 is secured.

Fig. 3 shows the position of the parts at the beginning of the operation. The lower surface of the presser assembly 70 is on a plane sufiiciently high to clear the lower wall 11 of the now partially Wrapped box 10. As the carriage moves forwardly the presser assembly moves through the side wall of the box (Fig. 4), wiping lower flap 24 against lower wall 11. The piston in cylinder 113 now moves forwardly, moving plunger 83 (Fig. 5), raising presser plate 86 and actuating slide 102. The wiping operation now completed, piston rod 114 retracts to the position of Fig. 4 and the presser assembly leaves the box.

Fig. 13 shows a schematic view of a conventional cam shaft supporting a plurality of cam elements which 0,.- erate or control the operation of the several moving parts in timed sequence. The cam shaft 120 is rotated by a motor 121 under the control of an operator who depresses a foot switch 122 to start a cycle of operation. The shaft may have various cam elements 123 and 124 for operating parts of the wrapping machine which are not part of the present invention.

Also keyed to this shaft are a plurality of cams 125 which operate pistons 126 operating air motors including the pistons in cylinders 60 and 113.

While there have been described herein what are at present considered preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that many modifications and changes may be made therein without departing from the essence of the invention. It is therefore to be understood that the exemplary embodiments are illustrative and not restrictive of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims, and that all modifications that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be included therein.

What I claim is:

1. A presser unit for applying flaps to the inner face of a box having a side wall opening for use in conjunction with a box wrapping machine, said unit comprising a presser assembly which is movable through the side wall opening, a carriage supporting the assembly for travel, a fixed cylinder provided with a piston and a piston rod connected with the carriage for advancing and retracting the same, a fixed wiper on the assembly for applying a lower flap of the wrapper to the box, a hinged presser plate for applying an upper flap of the wrapper to the box, and slides carried at opposite ends of the assembly for applying the end flaps to the box, a plunger slidably mounted on the carriage and links connecting the plunger with the hinged plates and slides to actuate the same after the assembly has entered the box, a cylinder provided with a piston and piston rod mounted on the carriage, means connecting the latter piston rod with the plunger and a source of fluid under pressure connected with the cylinders.

2. A presser unit for applying flaps of a box wrapper to the inner face of a box having a side wall opening, said unit comprising a frame, a presser assembly which is movable through the side wall opening. a carriage su porting the assembly for travel, a cylinder mounted on the frame and provided with a piston and a piston rod connected with the carriage for advancing and retracting the same, a fixed Wiper on the assembly for applying a lower flap of the wrapper to the box, a hinged presser plate for applying an upper flap of the wrapper to the box, and slides carried at opposite ends of the assembly for applying the end flaps to the box, a plunger slidably mounted on the carriage and links connecting the plunger with the hinged plate and slides to actuate the same after the assembly has entered the box, a cylinder provided with a piston and piston rod mounted on the carriage, and means connecting the latter piston rod with the plunger.

3. A presser unit for applying flaps of a box wrapper to the inner face of a box having a side wall opening, said unit comprising a frame, a presser assembly which is movable through the side wall opening, a carriage supporting the assembly for travel, a prime mover mounted on the frame and connected with the carriage for advancing and retracting the same, a fixed wiper on the assembly for applying a lower flap of the wrapper to the box, a hinged presser plate for applying an upper flap of the wrapper to the box, and slides carried at opposite ends of the assembly for wiping the end flaps to the box, a plunger slidably mounted on the carriage and links connecting the plunger with the hinged plate and slides to actuate the same after the assembly has entered the box, a prime mover mounted on the carriage, and means connecting the movable element thereof with the plunger.

4. A presser unit for applying flaps to the inner face of the side wall of a box having a side wall opening and adapted for use in conjunction with a box wrapping machine, said unit comprising a frame, a presser assembly which is movable through said side wall opening, a carriage supporting the assembly for travel and including a forwardly extending rod, a cylinder carried by the frame and provided with a piston and a piston rod connected with the carriage for advancing and retracting the same, a fixed Wiper on the assembly for applying a lower flap of the box wrapper to the box, a hinged upwardly movable presser plate for applying an upper flap of the wrapper to the box, and slides carried at opposite ends of the assembly for pressing the end flaps into engagement with the box, a plunger slidably mounted on said rod, and links connecting the plunger with the hinged plate and slides, respectively, to actuate the same after the assembly has entered the box, a cylinder provided with a piston and piston rod mounted on the carriage, and means connecting the latter piston rod with the plunger.

5. A presser unit for applying flaps of a wrapper to a box having a side wall opening, said unit comprising a frame, a presser assembly which is movable through said side wall opening, a carriage supporting the assembly for travel, a cylinder secured to the frame and provided with a piston and a piston rod connected with the carriage for advancing and retracting the same, an upwardly movable presser plate for applying an upper flap of the wrapper to the box, and outwardly movable members carried at opposite ends of the assembly for applying the end flaps to the box, a plunger slidably mounted on the carriage and driving means connecting the plunger with the hinged plate and slides, respectively, to actuate the same after the assembly has entered the box, a cylinder provided with a piston and piston rod and means on the carriage for advancing and retracting the plunger.

6. The combination of a box wrapping machine and a presser unit for applying flaps to the inner face of a box having a side wall opening, said unit comprising a presser assembly which is movable through said side wall opening, a carriage supporting the assembly for travel, a cylinder carried by the machine and provided with a fluid actuated piston and a piston rod connected with the carriage for advancing and retracting the same, a fixed wiper on the assembly for applying a lower flap to the base of the box, a hinged plate for pressing an upper flap of the Wrapper to the box, and outwardly movable slides carried at opposite ends of the assembly for pressing the end flaps to the box, a plunger slidably mounted on the carriage and links connecting the plunger with the hinged plate and to the slides to move the same into pressing engagement after the assembly has entered the box, a cylinder provided with a fluid actuated piston and piston rod mounted on the carriage, and means connecting the latter piston rod with the plunger.

No references cited. 

